Hiber BV Lands a Cool €26 Million to Stretch the Planet‑Wide IoT Satellite Net

Proof That Space Tech Can Be Affordable

If you thought rockets were all about big budgets and big labs, think again. Hiber BV, the brainchild of a group of IoT dreamers, just snagged a hefty €26 million from the European Innovation Council (EIC) and a friendly Dutch backer. That cash is going to beef up the world’s first truly global satellite network dedicated to the Internet of Things.

How the Money Clicks

• €278 million Innovation Fund – The EIC is pouring in fresh capital to make Europe a space power.
• Co‑investment – Dutch government credits + existing shareholders give the mix extra oomph.
• Result? A satellite constellation that can link a truck, a sensor, or a heart monitor no matter how remote that thunderstorm‑frozen tundra is.

What Hiber Sees on the Horizon

Co‑founder Coen Janssen says the funding is “a fantastic pat on the back.” He imagines a universe where any device, anywhere, can stream its data to the cloud without the pricey Wi‑Fi or mobile tower. “We’re on a mission to make IoT ridiculously simple and everywhere—especially in the places that need it the most,” he claims with a grin.

Useful Stuff That Could Save the Planet

• 30% of all the food we grow ends up in the trash—time to track fields and storage.
• 33% of oil wells leak. Smart pressure & temperature monitoring could shut those leaks faster.
• All this tech can cut food waste and lower the carbon footprint of fossil fuel drilling.

Voices From the EU Space Hall

“Happy to see a company like Hiber create a European champion for satellite‑IoT,” Nicklas Bergman, EIC Fund committee member, said. Meanwhile Elia Montanari, ESA’s Head of Management, lauded the partnership among EIC, EIB, and ESA for lifting the entire Space Value Chain.

New Rockstars on Hiber’s Board

• Steven Kroonsberg joins as CFO—he’s a former Boston Consulting Group principal who’s pulled a CFO role at WePayPeople.
• Roel Jansen comes on as CCO, formerly of SurveyMonkey and co‑founder at Usabilla. His job? Build the “IoT‑as‑a‑Service” playbook.
• Co‑founder Laurens Groenendijk steps back from managing director duties to chase other investments.

Why This Matters for Europe

The EU’s startup scene has been lagging behind Silicon Valley’s thrill. This funding gap especially shows at the “jump‑start and scale‑up” phases. By injecting €26 million, the EIC is poking the startup engine to roar—making Europe a tight spot in the satellite and IoT arena.

Bottom Line

Hiber’s fresh capital is more than a check; it’s a green light for a global IoT satellite network that can bring billions of remote gadgets online. Think less “you need a tower” and more “you just need a satellite.” The result? Smarter food logistics, safer oil drilling, and a host of lives improved that would otherwise go unanswered. It’s space tech that feels very… down‑to‑earth.